MODAL VERBS
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  • General Rules
  • Obligation and Necessity
  • Ability and Permission
  • Certainty, Probability, Possibility
  • Speculation and Deduction
  • Other Uses
  • Summary of Modal Functions
  • Extra Exercises
    • Exercise 5
    • Exercise 6
    • Exercise 7
    • Exercise 8
    • Exercise 9
    • Exercise 10
    • Exercise 11
    • Exercise 12
    • Exercise 13

abilitY and permission

can/be able to; could; may; might; to be allowed to

Picture
Tammekänd, L. 2009. National Exam in English

be able to
    - we use be able to for particular instances, and it often suggests “managing to overcome difficulties”
She was able to swim across the river although it was very wide.
We were able to pay although we were poor.

    - we also use be able to for things which a person will be capable of doing in the future but not now
If she practises, she will be able to play Chopin.

could
    - could does not always have a past meaning
You can visit the museum. (= now or in the future)
You could visit the museum. (= now or in the future, but more tentative, or polite)
It can be very cold at night. (= generally speaking)
It could be very cold at night. (= generally speaking)

Exercise 2
Ability and Permission

Ability and Permission

Gap-fill exercise

Fill in the gaps with can, can’t, could, couldn’t, was able to, wasn‘t able to, and was/were allowed to. Pay attention to contractions. Several variants are possible. Fill in all the gaps, then press "Check" to check your answers.
1. I had my hands full, so I open the door.
I had my hands full, so I open the door.
2. Although he felt ill, he finish all the paperwork.
3. When I was young, I stand on my head.
4. Tony is clever. He speak three languages.
5. I afford that bag. It's too expensive.
6. When I was young, we wear whatever we liked to school.
When I was young, we wear whatever we liked to school.
7. When Dennis lived with his parents, he come in at whatever time he liked.
When Dennis lived with his parents, he come in at whatever time he liked.
8. The children go to the cinema on their own yesterday.
9. Peter watch a concert on TV last night, although it was on quite late.
10. I drive a car. I learnt when I was eighteen.

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